Christ College, Brecon

History

Christ College was founded by Royal Charter in 1541 by King Henry VIII as 'the College of Christ of Brecknock'. Its aim was to provide education to the local area.

The school still uses the medieval chapel and halls of the Dominican friary which was closed during the Dissolution of the monasteries. The maintenance of the buildings was difficult during CCB's early years, due to its small original endowment, and the reluctance of local prebendaries to offer tithes to the college.

During the English Civil Wars many areas of the school were destroyed by Parliamentary Commissioners including Roger Thomas of Llanfrynach. Following the Restoration of the Monarchy in 1660, repairs of the college were undertaken by the Bishop William Lucy, whom had been appointed as the Dean of Christ College Brecon.

In the 19th century, the college fell into decline until the school was refounded by Act of Parliament in 1855. The buildings were restored by Seddon and Prichard, creating School House – now the school's oldest boarding house and currently one of two boys’ boarding houses for students aged 13 to 18, alongside Orchard – and much of the original chapel interior. Further renovations were undertaken again by W. D. Caröe in the 20th, and are a Grade I listed structure.

The school has been ranked in the top three of UK independent schools in terms of "value for money" by the Financial Times newspaper. In December 2017, Estyn (HM's Inspectorate for Education & Training in Wales) assessed Christ College's performance as "excellent" across all five inspection areas – the highest grade that can be awarded. In 2024, the overall pass rate at A Level was 100% and 60% of results were at A*-A, with 100% A*-A in Further Mathematics and Physics.

Houses

There are five houses in the school. There are: two senior boys' boarding houses, Orchard and School (age 13-18); two senior girls' boarding houses, de Winton and Donaldson's (age 13-18); and Alway House, for boys and girls aged 10–12. The Prep School is located in St Nicholas House and admits day pupils from age 4, with boarding available in Alway House from age 10.

Cricket ground

The first recorded match held on the college cricket ground was in 1888, when the college played Llandovery College. During the West Indies 1991 tour of England the ground was used to host a limited overs match against Wales, Brian Lara scoring 82. In use for the entire 20th century, the ground was used by Glamorgan for a List A cricket match against the touring Zimbabweans. The Glamorgan Second XI used the college ground for Second Eleven Trophy matches, firstly in 1996 when they played the Somerset Second XI and secondly in 1997 when they played the Hampshire Second XI.

Notable alumni

• Robert Ackerman – rugby player
• Richard Atkin, Baron Atkin – lawyer and judge
• William Aubrey – Regius Professor of Civil Law, Oxford
• Collin Bowen – archaeologist and landscape historian
• Andrew Davies SHR – Cricketer
• Bill Evans – rugby player
• Simon Hughes – former MP for North Southwark and Bermondsey, former Deputy Leader of the Liberal Democrats
• James Dickson Innes – painter
• Arthur Harding – rugby player
• Henry Lewis James – theologian
• Hubert Rees – actor
• Jack Jones – rugby player
• Maurice Jones – priest and bard
• Thomas Jones – artist
• Thomas Babington Jones – cricketer
• Andrew Lewis – rugby player
• Willie Llewellyn – rugby player
• Kieran Marmion – rugby player
• Teddy Morgan – rugby player
• Thomas Morgan – Navy chaplain
• Jamie Owen – Presenter for the BBC Wales Today news programme
• Matt Powell – rugby player
• David Price – Orientalist
• Thomas Price (Carnhuanawc) - historian and Welsh language advocate
• Brinley Rees – Classical scholar
• Paul Silk – Parliamentary clerk
• Peter Watkins – film director
• Lloyd Williams – cricketer
• Roger Williams - former MP

References

References

1. (5 July 2012). "Christ College Brecon in £5m anniversary investment boost". BBC News.
2. (2003-04-11). "Christ College Brecon".
3. (2024-10-22). "History".
4. Lewis. Samuel. "A topographical dictionary of Wales by Samuel Lewis". (1845)
5. (2003-02-08). "Christ College Brecon".
6. {{Cadw
7. [https://cricketarchive.com/Archive/Grounds/90/340_misc.html Other matches played on Christ College]
8. [https://cricketarchive.com/Archive/Grounds/90/340_a.html List-A Matches played on Christ College]
9. [https://cricketarchive.com/Archive/Grounds/90/340_set.html Second XI Trophy Matches played on Christ College]